'We will not be silenced': Women unite in colourful protest for equity, dignity
A declaration was read aloud by 3 female relatives of those who died during July uprising
As the sun began its slow descent over Dhaka's Manik Mia Avenue on Friday (16 May), the crowd stood still for a moment. A young woman, trembling, took the stage. Her voice broke as she spoke of surviving childhood abuse. The silence that followed her story was not empty. It was full of sorrow, empathy, and unspoken rage. When the crowd erupted in applause and chants, her voice became the voice of many.
This was the beginning of Narir Daake Maitree Jatra (Journey of solidarity at the call of women) – a colourful yet powerful protest against violence, injustice, and the silencing of women. It was not only a gathering. It was a declaration of will, a shared cry for dignity.
From as early as 2pm, women and men from all walks of life began arriving with placards, banners, and hope. They came from garment factories, tea gardens, universities, art studios, and fields. By 3:30pm, the avenue was alive with songs, dance, poetry, and speeches. The national anthem marked the formal start, but the spirit of the day had already taken over.
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The event brought together a wide range of participants. Students, workers, teachers, artists, disability rights activists, members of the transgender community, indigenous people, and families of those killed during last year's July Uprising all stood together. The air rang with slogans for justice, equality, and freedom – including solidarity with the Palestinian people.
At the centre of the programme was a declaration. It addressed the continued violence and discrimination women face, even after the July Uprising of 2024. The document did not hold back. It named the problems: attacks on women-led protests, online harassment, rape, mob violence, and political silence.
The declaration was read aloud by three female relatives of those who died during the July uprising. Their voices, heavy with loss, called on the interim government to fulfil its constitutional duties. The demands were clear. Take action against threats to women. Stop the spread of disinformation around the Women's Reform Commission. Do not allow religion to be used as a weapon of fear.
The Commission itself, formed with the aim of improving women's lives, had submitted 433 recommendations. But instead of being welcomed, its members faced attacks and public shaming. The silence from the government has been loud.
Among the key demands was a call for at least 33% women candidates in the next election, along with urgent action to improve education, healthcare, and economic access for marginalised communities.
By 5pm, the crowd moved in a large procession – from Parliament to Khamarbari, then Farmgate, Indira Road, and finally they returned to Manik Mia Avenue.
The event comes amid a surge in harassment and violence against women across the country. Women from diverse backgrounds – including athletes, entertainers, and sex workers – have faced attacks and intimidation by right-wing groups.
For instance, in February 2025, two stalls selling reproductive health products were forced to close at the Ekushey Book Fair following protests by conservative groups. Around the same time, two women were assaulted in Dhaka's Lalmatia area for smoking in public.
Attacks on women's football matches in Rangpur, Dinajpur, and Joypurhat have also gone largely unaddressed, drawing criticism from rights activists who accuse the authorities of failing to ensure basic protection.
Most recently, on 9 May, a viral video showed a man beating two young women with a belt on a Munshiganj launch while onlookers clapped and recorded the assault.
Between August 2024 and January 2025, more than 8,300 cases of violence against women were reported nationwide, including over 2,000 incidents of rape, according to Police Headquarters data. In February alone, 46 rape cases were recorded, up from 39 in January.
